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In the 12 months to the end of August last, revenues surged by €51m or 10% from €529.63m to €580.76m

Boots Ireland report record revenues of €580.76m

Strong growth in online sales and a rise in demand for vaccination services contributed to the Irish arm of pharmacy giant, Boots enjoying record revenues of €580.76m last year

Business • 10 Jun

"Financial uncertainty could be compounded by increased trade headwinds depending on the form of the threatened tariff changes," - David O'Kelly, KPMG

A third of shoppers feel less financially secure now

Almost a third of Irish shoppers feel less financially secure now compared to the start of the year, according to new research from KPMG.

Business • 10 Jun

4.6 billion low-value packages - the majority of which came from China - entered the European Union last year

Retailers welcome planned fee on non-EU packages

Irish retailers have welcomed a European Union proposal to add a €2 flat fee on all packages coming from outside the bloc.

Business • 21 May

The biggest issue facing food suppliers was rising costs, but some were also dealing with unfair trading practices by retailers

14% of food suppliers faced unfair trading - survey

One in seven agri-food suppliers has faced unfair trading practices by a buyer or retailer, according to a new survey by An Rialálaí Agraibhia, the Agri-Food Regulator.

Business • 20 May

It's absolutely fair to say that any talk of the demise of bricks and mortar is definitely not true, particularly here in Ireland, according to Colette Devey, EY Ireland Consumer Sector Lead

Majority of Irish consumers prefer physical stores

A large majority of Irish consumers (70%) still prefer in-person shopping for essentials, with 83% favouring physical stores for fresh food, while 74% prefer them for personal care items.

Business • 02 May

Most grocery retailers - even discounters and convenience stores - now have self-service tills

On The Self: Why shops are getting customers to do more

They used to be a rarity, but self-service options are taking over retail - requiring the customer to do more work and reducing shops' need for as many workers, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 27 Feb

More than half planning to reduce their Christmas shopping budgets

Majority expect Christmas shopping to be more expensive

The cost of living continues to be felt among consumers with 72% saying they expect Christmas shopping to be significantly more expensive this year, while 36% expect to spend less compared to last year.

Business • 12 Nov 24

Stronger retail sales may help to ease fears that the US economy was slowing down

US retail sales rose by more than expected in July

US retail sales rose more than expected in July, which could help to allay financial market fears of a sharp economic slowdown that were fanned by a jump in the unemployment rate.

Business • 15 Aug 24

CCPC says there is no scientific evidence the jewellery helps with teething (Stock image)

CCPC stops sale of 'dangerous' amber teething beads

Retailers selling amber teething jewellery for babies have been told to withdraw them from sale, both in-store and online, by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Ireland • 04 Jun 24

Customers want discounts and competitive prices - but also say they are willing to pay more for quality goods

Customers cutting costs but still value quality - survey

A new survey from KPMG highlights the challenge retailers and brands face in balancing price competitiveness and quality.

Business • 04 Jun 24

Currys is one of the biggest technology and appliance retailers in Ireland and the UK

JD.com declines to make bid for retailer Currys

Chinese online retailer JD.com has said it would not make an offer for British electricals group Currys, days after US investor Elliott Advisors walked away from tabling a bid.

Business • 15 Mar 24

The Christmas bounce comes at the end of a tough year for retailers

Retailers predict extra €1.1bn spend in December, up 5%

Retailers are predicting an increase in household spending in the run-up to Christmas, despite cost-of-living pressures and the difficult economic backdrop for many.

Business • 11 Dec 23

From 1st February, all plastic bottles and aluminium cans will have a levy attached - which can only be refunded when the empties are returned

Firms preparing for deposits on plastic bottles & cans

Billed as the biggest change to consumer recycling habits since the plastic bag levy, the country's new Deposit Return Scheme is set to force major changes on consumers as well as businesses, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 04 Dec 23

Consumers plan to cut back on spending in shops, pubs and restaurants in order to ease the pressure on their finances

Most consumers expect higher costs this Christmas

The majority of consumers expect their Christmas shopping to be more expensive this year, according to a new survey from KPMG.

Business • 17 Nov 23

The cost of your weekly shop may be starting to come down - but it's still a lot more expensive than it was 18 months ago

Tesco's PR masterstroke puts price pressure on rivals

Tesco's Big Bang price-cut may not quite be as good as it seems, but there's no doubt that it's put other retailers on the back-foot, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 10 Jun 23

Retail investor fees are 40% higher than those institutional investors pay

EU lays out plans to reduce retail investor commission

The European Union has set out plans to cut how much retail investors pay banks and insurers for financial products to encourage investment and make its capital market deeper and more efficient.

Business • 24 May 23

HMV to return to Ireland with new Dublin store

Music retailer HMV is to make a return to Ireland, seven years after it closed its last remaining shop here.

Business • 18 May 23

Loyalty fee: The price of retailers' reward cards

Loyalty cards and retailers' rewards apps may seem like a way of saving money or getting the best deal – but they're probably taking more than they give, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 22 Feb 23

Supermarkets says supplies of produce such as tomatoes have been hit by poor weather in Europe and North Africa

Fruit and veg imports hit by poor weather in Europe

A number of retailers in Ireland say they are experiencing availability issues with certain fruit and vegetables.

Ireland • 21 Feb 23

Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland CEO JP Scally (left) with Lidl worker Patrycja Samojiuk (middle) and Bord Bia CEO Jim O'Toole (right)

Lidl bought €1bn of Irish food and drink in 2022

Lidl invested €1 billion in Irish agri-food businesses last year, according to a report by the retailer.

Business • 18 Jan 23

JD Sports said it expects profits in its new financial year ended January 2024 to grow to just over 1 billion pounds

JD Sports lifts outlook after Christmas revenue growth

British clothes and footwear retailer JD Sports reported total revenue growth of over 20% in the six weeks in the run up to Christmas which it said would help lift annual profit to the top end of a forecast range.

Business • 11 Jan 23

Covid-19, inflation and staff shortages were among the top challenges for hospitality and retail businesses in 2022.

Costs and staffing test retail and hospitality in 2022

2022 got off to a rocky start for many businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors.

Business • 23 Dec 22

The planned redevelopment would see the shopping centre's retail space reconfigured, with offices on the upper floors

Stephen's Green Centre plans deemed 'invalid'

A planning application for the €100m redevelopment of St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre has been declared invalid by Dublin City Council.

Business • 23 Dec 22

Buying months' worth of goods can help you to cut your shopping bills - but you need to be careful with the deals that are on offer

Bulkamania: Can stocking up save you cash?

Bulk buying options are growing in Ireland but care needs to be taken to ensure you are actually saving money, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 22 Dec 22

Retailers are the big beneficiaries of the Christmas bounce, with the sales period representing many shops' only chance at turning a profit

Yuletide Yield: Businesses that get a Christmas bounce

Christmas is an important time for many reasons, but for some businesses it's make or break, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 14 Dec 22